Immigrant Roots Inspire a Lifetime of Giving
Padma Venkatesan immigrated to the U.S. from India as a child. As her parents worked to build a life in a new country,…
Rogers Park. Photo Credit: Erik Unger.
Philanthropy & Giving
Philanthropy is what we do. The Chicago Community Trust works with individuals, families, businesses, foundations, and trusted financial advisors to build charitable giving plans and transform your generosity into powerful, meaningful impact.
Maximize your impact by giving with The Chicago Community Trust.
The Trust offers many opportunities to explore the most pressing issues facing our communities, partner with like-minded donors, and support Trust initiatives that benefit the Chicago region and all who call it home.
We Connect Philanthropy to Impact
It’s what happens between when donations come in, and when organizations are funded, that makes The Chicago Community Trust experience truly unique.
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The Trust fulfills an essential role at the heart of Chicago philanthropy. The depth and breadth of our knowledge of the region, as well as the national philanthropic landscape, is unparalleled.
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Our philanthropic advisors work directly with you as a giving coach and dedicated partner to achieve your vision.
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Our team has deep expertise in facilitating philanthropic gifts from the simple to the complex, ensuring that your giving is effective and aligned with your long-term goals.
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Partner
We will serve as your expert guide, and provide opportunities to partner in achieving transformational impact in our region.
Make an Impact -
Give
From donor advised funds to impact investing and estate planning, we offer many options to support the causes you care most about.
Ways to Give -
Collaborate
We work in consultation with professional advisors to structure giving plans that meet your clients’ unique financial and philanthropic goals.
Work Together
Donor Stories & Giving Insights
“Partnering with the Trust aligns with our deep commitment to Chicago and to expanding opportunities for those who have historically not had access to the resources and social networks to advance their education and build wealth. It is critical for all of us to invest in ALL of our communities to ensure a better future for our city, our region, and our nation.”
“When I think of the Trust, three words come to mind: flexible, efficient, dedicated.”
“I chose the Trust as my philanthropic partner because the Trust was big enough, strong enough, old enough, and it was Chicago.”
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Investing for Impact: How to Maximize, and Measure, the Impact of Your Charitable Dollars
In 2020, the Trust launched our Impact Investing Program to help donors generate greater impact through their donor advised funds (DAFs). Impact investments…
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An Unrestricted Gift for Chicago’s Future
For more than 100 years, many donors who want their love for Chicago to be reflected in their legacy have chosen to make…
Ways to Give
Whether you are an individual donor, a business, or a professional advisor, we have giving vehicles and resources to help you or your clients give smarter and achieve your charitable goals.
Donor Advised Funds (DAFs) are charitable savings accounts that make giving simple and effective. Donors create a personal, named fund at any level, and can immediately begin making grants to charities of their choosing. The Trust provides administrative support and oversight of the fund’s assets.
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Corporate philanthropy, employee engagement, and social responsibility are critical for businesses to meet the expectations of their customers, employees, and other stakeholders. The Trust is uniquely positioned to bring organizations together and use our expertise and deep regional knowledge to catalyze your charitable impact.
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Direct your giving to our Chicago communities. The Trust offers a number of ways to address the most critical issues facing our region–including supporting the Trust’s strategy and initiatives.
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The Trust was built by philanthropists who wanted their legacy to be a stronger Chicago region, and that commitment continues today. We transform donor gifts from wills, trusts, and other vehicles into grants that fulfill your intentions and enable the Trust to respond to the most pressing needs of the community in perpetuity.
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